Sig Sauer SIG Virtus 3000 psi 13ci bottle alternative

[daisy840]

Though I've heard many complaints from others, I'm pretty happy with my SIG Virtus PCP - except for one thing: I have four hpa bottles for it. Each of them leaks horribly. I bought them during the pandemic so I don't know if there were QC issues but whether the SIG SAUER branded one or the Air Venturi branded bottles, all leak. I've attempted to rebuild a few of them (replacing manometer, teflon-taping threads) with good initial results but still leaking to practically empty over the course of a week or two (in storage - not used). Wondering if anyone else had similar experience with these bottles? is there a different brand / different specs I should consider as a replacement? I don't see much in the 1000 psi output range.

thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[nervoustrig]

There are tons of sources for replacement regulators to fit 13ci paintball tanks, with a variety of regulator setpoints to choose from. Most made in China, naturally. Search Amazon, Aliesxpress, ebay, etc. If you want to go with something with US support, your best bet is probably Ninja and their SHP regulator. It is configured for about 1150psi stock which is likely close enough but you can tweak the spring stack if you want to bring it down closer to 1000psi.

Meanwhile bear in mind that pretty much all of the no-name regulators are constructed virtually identical to the Ninja. They might be assembled at the factory with O-rings of lesser quality/longevity but that’s an easy thing to fix. Over a sufficient period of time, a Ninja reg will also need to be resealed. Some sooner than others. I’ve had enough of them to have seen not only the typical leaks at the spool O-rings or the fill port check valve, but also the occasional internal gauge leaks and burst disk leaks and leaks past the tapered threads of the gauge or fill port.

Bottom line, there’s a choice to be made. Forever buy a new regulator when a leak pops up, or learn how to reseal it.